Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday rejected the bail applications of former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president N Vasu and two former board officials in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case, which relates to the alleged disappearance of gold from the Lord Ayyappa shrine.

Justice A. Badharudeen denied bail to Vasu, former Thiruvabharanam Commissioner K S Baiju, and former TDB administrative officer B Murari Babu, dismissing the pleas filed by the three accused. Detailed orders are awaited.

The case pertains to the alleged loss of gold from the Sabarimala temple, which is being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the High Court.

At present, the SIT has registered two cases in connection with the disappearance of gold from the gold-plated Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) and the door frames of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum).

Investigators are proceeding on the premise that the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, removed the gold plates after they were taken for electroplating in 2019.

So far, apart from Unnikrishnan Potti, the SIT has arrested two former TDB presidents and four former Travancore Devaswom Board employees in the Sabarimala gold theft probe, which has triggered widespread public and political attention in Kerala.

The High Court’s decision to deny bail underscores the seriousness of the allegations surrounding the Sabarimala temple gold loss, one of the most sensitive religious and legal controversies in the State in recent years.

PTI